Tubman Siblings Ranked Oldest to Youngest

Harriet Tubman’s 8 Siblings Ranked Oldest to Youngest

Harriet Tubman is one of the original rebels of her time and is an American abolitionist. Even more appropriate would be to call her a freedom fighter. Born into slavery, Harriet escaped its suffocating grasp in the 1800s. But escaping wasn’t enough.

Tubman’s story is fit for its own Marvel comic book. Thankfully for us, she’s as real as it gets. Captain America need look no further for inspiration than to Harriet Tubman herself.

Exemplifying tremendous courage, Tubman made roughly 13 missions to rescue 70 or more enslaved men, women, and children, including family and friends. Tubman undertook these missions through the help of The Underground Railroad, which was a network of safe houses for people to travel discreetly and safely.

Much is known about the exploits of Harriet Tubman as one of the monumental figures that changed America’s trajectory for the better, but did you know that she had eight other siblings?

Though not much information is available on the lives of her beloved brothers and sisters, we wanted to take the time to try and learn a little more about those who Harriet held most dear. So join us while we rank the Tubman siblings from oldest to youngest.

9. Linah Ross (1808 – Unknown)

Age: Unknown
Born: Unknown
Occupation: Slave
Parents: Benjamin Ross, Harriet Ross

Linah Ross was Harriet’s older sister and daughter of Benjamin Ross and Harriet Green.

Information on Linah’s life is limited.

Did You Know?

Linah Ross was married to Harkness Jolley.


8. Mariah Ross (1811 – Unknown)

Age: Unknown
Born: Unknown
Occupation: Slave
Parents: Benjamin Ross, Harriet Ross

Mariah Ross also went by Mary.

She was the daughter of Benjamin and Harriet. Information on her marital status is unknown.

Did You Know?

Mariah Ritty Ross was sold into slavery in 1825.


7. Soph Ross (1813 – Unknown)

Age: Unknown
Born: Unknown
Occupation: Slave
Parents: Benjamin Ross, Harriet Ross

Soph Ross was Harriet’s older sister and daughter of Benjamin and Harriet.

She, along with her family, was sold into slavery.

Did You Know?

Harriet was determined to free those she had to leave behind when escaping from the clutches of slavery. She returned to the East Shore of Maryland to take as much of her family as possible. Her rescue operation would take several years, but she couldn’t save everyone. Linah, Soph, and Mariah were sold to the Deep South before Harriet had the chance to rescue them. As a result, details of their life are unknown.


6. Robert Ross (1816 – 1893)

Age: 76-77
Born: Unknown
Occupation: Slave
Parents: Benjamin Ross, Harriet Ross

Robert Ross was one of the approximately 70 his little sister rescued, along with brothers Henry, Ben, a few women, and children.

Robert was enslaved by Dr. Anthony Thompson. He was married to a woman named Mary Manokey, who tragically could not be saved along with her children, John Jr., Moses, and Harriet.  

Did You Know?

Mary Manokey and her children remained on the East Shore under the control of Dr. Anthony Thomson until Maryland abolished slavery in 1864. John Jr. and Moses made their way to New York to reunite with their father.


5. Harriet Tubman (March 1822 – March 10, 1913)

Age: 90-91
Born: Dorchester County, Maryland
Occupation: Abolitionist
Parents: Benjamin Ross, Harriet Ross

Harriet Tubmanphoto source: commons.wikimedia.org

So much of what we know about Harriet Tubman begins and ends in the high school classroom. It’s a shame because Harriet Tubman’s life and legacy is one that’s shaped America’s overarching moral compass, its course in history, and the psyches of every individual who is a part of this great American experiment.

For example, beyond freeing dozens from either death or a lifetime of oppression, she was also an armed scout and spy for the Union Army!

Harriet knew nothing but slavery since birth. She grew up in Maryland at the mercy of her enslavers, who would beat and whip her even as a young girl. Her birth name was Araminta “Minty” Ross, and as is the case with so many enslaved, the exact year and place of her birth is a mystery.

The logic behind her birth being in 1822 is from findings discovered by American historian Kate Larson, which show a midwife payment that suggests 1822 was her DOB.

Harriet suffered from hypersomnia, which is a neurological disorder causing excessive sleep and fatigue, after suffering a blow to the head by a racist individual who threw a metal weight at her head. It lasted her entire life, making her tactical and physical achievements even more impressive than they already are.

By 1849, she escaped to Philadelphia, eventually returning to begin her rescue. Traveling in secrecy in the dead of night, she would lead enslaved families out of state using the Underground Railroad as her means of travel, guiding many of them to Canada. She helped them find work in addition to their new lease on life.

At the start of the Civil War, Harriet got her foot in the door of the Union Army, working as a cook and nurse. Not long after, she was promoted to a spy, turning her into the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war. The Combahee Ferry raid was led under her command, leading to the liberation of over 700 people between June 1 and 2, 1863.

Did You Know?

For her work guiding countless people to freedom, Harriet Tubman earned the nickname “Moses.” Tubman was so good at what she did, that she reportedly “never lost a single passenger” during their journeys. 


4. Ben Ross (1823 – Unknown)

Age: Unknown
Born: Virginia
Occupation: Slave
Parents: Benjamin Ross, Harriet Ross

Benjamin Ross was born in Virginia and a slave of Eliza Ann Brodess. He and Henry escaped from slavery on September 17, 1849, thanks to his sister Harriet and other allies of the abolitionists. However, during their escape, Harriet’s brothers returned to the plantation after having second thoughts and out of fear for their lives.

Over ten years, Harriet would make the trip back and forth, rescuing more each time and eventually her three brothers and their children for good this time.

Did You Know?

Ben Ross married Jane Kane, a woman enslaved by Horatio Jones (neighbor of Dr. Thompson). Jane changed her name to Catherine Kane upon being freed.


3. Rachel Ross (1825 – 1859)

Age: 33-34
Born: Unknown
Occupation: Slave
Parents: Benjamin Ross, Harriet Ross

Rachel Ross was Harriet’s younger sister.

Information on her life is limited.

Did You Know?

Harriet Tubman was unable to reach Rachel and her two children, Ben and Angerine. After returning to Dorchester County, Harriet learned Rachel had died, and the children could only be freed if she could come up with $30. Unable to find the money, the children remained in slavery, and their fates are unfortunately unknown.


2. Henry Ross (1830 – Unknown)

Age: Unknown
Born: Unknown
Occupation: Slave
Parents: Benjamin Ross, Harriet Ross

Henry Ross escaped from slavery on September 17, 1849.

He married a free woman named Harriet Ann Parker.

Did You Know?

Henry and Harriet had a son, William Henry Stewart Jr.


1. Moses Ross (1832 – Unknown)

Age: Unknown
Born: Unknown
Occupation: Slave
Parents: Benjamin Ross, Harriet Ross

Moses Ross was the youngest of the Tubman siblings!

He is the son of Benjamin and Harriet.

Information on his life is limited.

Did You Know?

Moses Ross’s fate is a mystery. We know he escaped slavery in 1851, but it doesn’t appear he had any kids.  

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